Heat generating compound



l atented July 14, 1 931 uru'rnn; STATES COMPANY, OF EITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVA YPATENTIOFFICE some n. Bummer rrrrsnunsrr, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE CHAMBERLAIN NIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA HEAT GENERATING COMPOUND No Drawing. Application filed September v out producing flame.

Such compounds are widely used for cleaning drain pipes and the. like. Some such compounds are described, for instance in United States Patents No. 1,010,768 to Abraham S. Isaacs dated December5, 1911,

' and, No. 1,019,377 to Clarence G. Smith dated March 5, 1912. The present invention is for an improvement on compounds of the type disclosed in these patents, but is not limited to any particular use.

These compounds consist essentially of a dry caustic alkali, such for instance as sodium or potassium hydrate and aluminum in metallic form.

Commercial compositions of. th1s nature contain the aluminum in comminuted form,

such as shavings or filings.

The aluminum shavings or filings which are most commonly used are obtained in the form of chips or shavings from machine shops, so that-the metal particles are coated with oil and grease. This form of aluminum is used because it is cheaper than metallic alumimun particles made especially for the purpose. However, unless particular care is taken to remove all of the grease or oil from the shavings a disagreeable odor is evolved from the compound when the reaction is effected. Even with pure metallic aluminum particles there is considerable amount of objectionable odor given OK when the chemicals react.

According to the present invention I have discovered a waste product that can be used which is much cheaper than a pure metallic aluminum or waste aluminum shavings, which is just as eflicient,and which contains substances that will absorb and'keep down. the gases which are evolved in the reaction.

10, 1927. Serial No. 218,865.

- In the practice of the present invention dross or skimmings obtained from aluminum melting pots'is used in the composition in place of pure aluminum or aluminum shavings. This dross contains suflicient metallic aluminum to react with the caustic. It also contains various other constituents principally aluminum oxide and silica. A typical analysis showed about four parts by weight of metallic aluminum, about two parts of aluminum oxide, about one part of silica and about two parts of other impurities, such as copper, tin and organic materials.

function, when thereaction is taking place, to absorb most of the offensive fumes or gases which are evolved by the chemicals,

I have discovered that these impurities I and that most of the disagreeable odor which 7 accompanies this reaction with the present compounds now on the market is eliminated. The alumlnum dross or skimmings can be used just as it is obtained from the melting tanks without being refined in any way, the

only requirement being that the dross be broken up into sufficiently small particles to permit of its ready use in a compound 'of this nature. Being a waste product the dross can be very cheaply obtained and at the same time improved results are secured by reason of the elimination of a greater part of the odor which ordinarily accompanies the use of these compounds.

-Aluminum dross, such as contemplated by the present invention", is typifiedby the following analysis of a batch of such material. Per cent Loss on ign tion Aluminum metal 40. 30

' Aluminum'oxide; 20.30 4

Silica 9. 50

- ganlc materials.

copper,\tin, wood, and straw and other or- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN R. DULANY. 

